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The impact of collaborative governance on air Pollution: Evidence from high-frequency data in Pearl river delta, China

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  • He, Ling-Yun
  • Hu, Ke
  • Lin, Xi

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects and mechanisms of the collaborative air pollution governance policy in the Pearl River Delta region by employing a difference-in-differences (DID) model based on county-level daily data from 35 Chinese cities from 2012 to 2017. The research aims to achieve three objectives: first, to accurately identify the causal effect of the policy; second, to reveal the transmission pathways of industrial and energy structures; and finally, to demonstrate the analytical advantages of high-frequency data. The study finds that the policy significantly improved the air quality in the Pearl River Delta region. Specifically, the average surface dust concentration in the policy implementation areas decreased by 12.9 %. This improvement covers various air pollutants, including PM2.5 and SO2. Mechanism analysis confirms that the collaborative governance policy achieved pollution reduction through industrial structure adjustment and energy structure optimization. Furthermore, the policy's effects were particularly prominent in inter-provincial border cities and more economically developed cities. This research provides rigorous empirical evidence and actionable policy implications for regional collaborative governance.

Suggested Citation

  • He, Ling-Yun & Hu, Ke & Lin, Xi, 2025. "The impact of collaborative governance on air Pollution: Evidence from high-frequency data in Pearl river delta, China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:337:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225043531
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.138711
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